kris letang

Penguins ended their five game road trip with a 3-2 record after getting wins against Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. The final game in the road trip did not end well but a 3-2 road trip that took the Penguins into Western Canada is a productive five game swing, especially considering the Penguins are 4-7 in their last 11 games. A key coming into the road trip was the play of Marc Andre Fleury and Fleury was tremendous in 3 of 4 games. Despite getting off to a 3-1 start, defensive breakdowns were a problem for the entire road trip, and breakdowns in the D-zone came to the forefront in Saturday’s 6-2 loss with Fleury sidelined with a fractured finger.

Post-Game Wrap Up: Latest Penguins Buzz Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma had the look of a frustrated coach after tonight’s game as the Penguins have lost 7 of 9 games. Despite a good effort from his hockey team in Thursday’s 7-4 loss, Bylsma mentioned the lack of focus, and attention to details is playing a factor in lapses during the course of a game. Pittsburgh showed glimpses tonight of the kind of hockey Bylsma wants from his hockey team, but again, the inability to play a 60 minute game is why they have dropped 7 of 9 games. Pittsburgh now hits the road for what has the look of being a very tough five game road trip. Special Teams Woes Special Teams have been at the forefront of the Penguins woes of late and tonight was no different. The Flyers went 2-for-2 on the power play, while Pittsburgh wasRead More »

Just like Jordan Staal a year ago, Pittsburgh is receiving inquiries about potential restricted free agent defenseman Kris Letang. The Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers are among 4-5 teams to have their eye on Letang, with league speculation rampant that the Penguins would move Letang for the right offer to enhance their chances of signing Sergei Gonchar. However, team sources say Pittsburgh’s asking price is higher than the “Ryan Whitney” asking price from last year. For Pittsburgh to even consider moving Letang it’s going to take a young-to-mid 20’s impact winger and a top prospect. Regarding contact talks, Penguins and Kent Hughes the agent for Letang remain far apart on a new deal. The two sides began preliminary talks in early December and there is no urgency from either side at this point. Pittsburgh will put off talks until after the season if a dealRead More »

Eric Godard was informed on Saturday that he would return to the lineup Sunday night against Toronto and the likely candidate to be scratched on Sunday appeared to be Max Talbot but Dan Bylsma opted to sit Tyler Kennedy who has 0 goals in 12 games. By making Kennedy a healthy scratch, Bylsma is sending a message in the hopes of jumpstarting Kennedy’s game. *Pittsburgh is 4-for-10 on the power play in their last two games. While three of the goals came in Wednesday’s 8-2 rout, the Penguins have shown more movement and creativity of late. However, for their power play to become consistent in the long run, they’re going to need some kind of production from Kris Letang (1 goal this season) and Alex Goligoski (2 assists in his last 8 games) at the left point. Evgeni Malkin playing the left point is not permanent. *Carolina Hurricanes winger RayRead More »

Toronto (13-17-9) @ Pittsburgh (26-11-1) Morning Skate Update: Defenseman Mark Eaton (right knee) participated fully in today’s morning skate. Eaton, Kris Letang and Martin Skoula alternated as a pairing. Eaton will return to the lineup sometime this week likely Wednesday night against New Jersey. Pittsburgh will wear their third jerseys tonight as today marks the 9 year anniversary of Mario Lemieux’s comeback. * Enforcer Eric Godard has been informed that he will return to the lineup against Toronto. Max Talbot is expected to be a healthy scratch. ******Game 39 Preview******** By James Conley

Martin Brodeur broke Terry Sawchuk’s 40-year-old shutout record with his 104th career shutout Monday night as the New Jersey Devils (26-8-1) blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0 for their third straight win against Pittsburgh this season. While Brodeur continues to entrench himself as arguably the greatest goaltender in the history of the game, the defending champs were over-matched against New Jersey for the third time this season. It has reached the point of concern as the Devils have quickly proved they are among the league’s best teams. The Devils transition game gave Pittsburgh fits Monday night just like it did in the two previous contests. New Jersey not Pittsburgh set the tone in the game and that’s been a common scene in all three games to this point. Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma has not found a way for the Penguins to combat the Devils tight defensive game in the neutralRead More »

Hurricanes not moving Eric Staal A number of league sources have disputed any talk that the Carolina Hurricanes are even considering the possibility of moving Eric Staal. Not going to happen under any circumstances I’m told A report by the Ottawa Sun indicated the St. Louis Blues were making a play for Staal. Market growing for Ilya Kovalchuk The Atlanta Thrashers have yet to make Ilya Kovalchuk available for trade but when or if they do, teams are already beginning preparations. The Flyers, Kings, Oilers and Canucks are four teams prepared to make a major play for Kovalchuk, sources tell me. The Kings are willing to offer a package centering around Dustin Brown and Jack Johnson, while Philadelphia has made a number of players available including Daniel Briere, Matt Carle Simone Gagne and Scott Hartnell to name a few. However, to land Kovalchuk, the Flyers are going to have toRead More »

Philadelphia (15-15-1) @ Pittsburgh (22-10-1) Morning Skate Update: Defenseman Kris Letang practiced this morning after missing yesterday’s skate. Letang has been battling an illness and continues to be bothered by a nagging upper body injury. However, Letang took his usual reps with Mark Eaton and will play tonight against Philadelphia. With 13 healthy forwards, Pittsburgh’s healthy scratch tonight is expected to be Max Talbot or Eric Godard. Dan Bylsma is keeping things close to the vest. Godard and Talbot alternated at right wing on line rushes this morning as both players skated on the fourth line with Michael Rupp and Craig Adams. Based on performance, Craig Adams should be a candidate to sit but Max Talbot has not been used at center this year in games or in practice. Penguins revamp 29th ranked power play Pittsburgh gets their first opportunity to unleash their revamped power play tonight against Philadelphia asRead More »

The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the ice this morning after Monday nights disappointing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Head coach Dan Bylsma talked today how the Penguins lacked focus as the Penguins have given up the first goal in seven straight games. One player who did not practice today was Mark Letestu, who was re-assigned to Wilkes Barre/Scranton this morning. Letestu played a strong game Saturday night against Chicago but was a healthy scratch Monday night. Defenseman Alex Goligoski practiced for the second straight day and barring a setback, expects to return to the lineup Thursday night in Montreal. With two full practices before Thursday’s game, the power play will be a top priority for the coaching staff like it is for many practices. Pittsburgh ranks 28th in the league on the power play. One change that will be made is Alex Goligoski replacing Kris Letang at the left pointRead More »

Trade Buzz: Thursday’s 1-for-1 trade of young underperforming players saw the Minnesota Wild acquire center Victor Rask from the Carolina Hurricanes for left winger Nino Niederreiter. Carolina did an excellent job of being able to get out of the Rask contract, who has three years remaining with a $4 million cap hit. Rask has 1 goal, 5 assists on the season, mirrored in a 22-game goal drought. The logic here for Minnesota is taking the chance on a playmaking center who can help fill a top-9 spot longer term if the Wild move on from Eric Staal. Minnesota is also playing the card that a change of scenery will benefit the 24-year old who posted a career-high 21 goals, 48 points in 2015-2016.

Niederreiter’s trade value was stunted because of his contract, where he has three years left on his deal with a $5.25 million cap hit. Niederreiter is a player who is extremely hard to play against, drives possession well, and has three 20 goal seasons over his last four full seasons. Injuries (18 goals in 63 games) kept him from a 4th straight 20-goal season in 17-18. The Niederreiter acquisition also sets up as great insurance for the Hurricanes if they can’t resign Micheal Ferland. In the short-term, Carolina’s center situation is a mess with Jordan Staal sidelined with a concussion, but they’re getting the better player who fits the identity they’re trying to establish upfront, especially on the wings where they’ve identified the need for Patric Hornqvist type players.